Vigil to save Assumption School in Peekskill

Parents, volunteers and parishioners held a prayer vigil is held outside of Assumption School in Peekskill. They came out to pray that the school, which is on the archdiocese's short list for shutdown due to financial strain, stay open. They brought statues from the church, including a statue of St. Jude, the patron saint of hopeless causes. (Jan. 18, 2013)

(Credit: Angela Gaul)

Parent Josue Andagoya of Peekskill leads a group recitation of the rosary at a candlelight prayer vigil outside of Assumption School in Peekskill. Andagoya is the father of a fifth-grader. (Jan. 18, 2013)

(Credit: Angela Gaul)

Brunella Tissoni, 10, of Peekskill attends a candlelight prayer vigil outside of Assumption School in Peekskill. Parents, students, volunteers and parishioners came out to pray that the school, which is on the archdiocese's short list for shutdown due to financial strain, stay open. (Jan. 18, 2013)

(Credit: Angela Gaul)

Children light candles for a candlelight prayer vigil outside of Assumption School in Peekskill. Parents, volunteers and parishioners came out to pray that the school, which is on the archdiocese's short list for shutdown due to financial strain, stay open. They brought statues from the church, including a statue of St. Jude, the patron saint of hopeless causes. (Jan. 18, 2013)

From left, Jenny Ayavaca and Marta Tinoco, both of Peekskill, attend a candlelight prayer vigil outside of Assumption School in Peekskill. Ayavaca has two children, 10 and 7, who attend the school. Tinoco has three children, ages 13, 9, and 7. (Jan. 18, 2013)

(Credit: Angela Gaul)

Nicolas Alfonso, 4, of Peekskill attends a candlelight prayer vigil outside of Assumption School in Peekskill. Parents, students, volunteers and parishioners came out to pray that the school, which is on the archdiocese's short list for shutdown due to financial strain, stay open. (Jan. 18, 2013)

(Credit: Angela Gaul)

Josefina Lopez, 10, of Peekskill attends a candlelight prayer vigil outside of Assumption School in Peekskill. Her mother Michele Lopez volunteers at the school. "We're trying to show support for our parish and our school," Michele Lopez said. (Jan. 18, 2013)

(Credit: Angela Gaul)

From left, Marisol Alfonso, 10, Jetcai Javiel, 7, Samantha Clavijo, 7, and Andres Silva, 6, say Hail Marys during a candlelight prayer vigil outside of Assumption School in Peekskill. Parents, volunteers and parishioners came out to pray that the school, which is on the archdiocese's short list for shutdown due to financial strain, stay open. "I think it's really caring of everyone to be here. I've seen how everyone loves the school, and it makes me sad that it might be closed," said Alfonso. (Jan. 18, 2013)

(Credit: Angela Gaul)

Children light candles for a candlelight prayer vigil outside of Assumption School in Peekskill. Parents, volunteers and parishioners came out to pray that the school, which is on the archdiocese's short list for shutdown due to financial strain, stay open. They brought statues from the church, including a statue of St. Jude, the patron saint of hopeless causes. (Jan. 18, 2013)